Advent -Waiting Together

This past July I did a renewal of vows for a couple in their 80’s who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

At this moment in the middle of exchanging their vows, he excitedly jumps in and asks me, “Can I kiss her now?” It wasn’t quite time yet, but I had to laugh. He couldn’t WAIT. I loved it! Not only because I am not a very patient person myself, but even more….after all these years, he still couldn’t wait to kiss her!

Advent is a time of waiting. The engulfing embrace of God is just around the corner, yet it is still the time of waiting. The waiting is now more intense than ever. We are actively waiting. And we are not waiting alone…we are waiting together. Advent is a communal experience as God is coming to earth to physically embrace the entirety of humanity on one holy night. We wait and watch together.

Waiting together is important! There are some persons this Advent who are experiencing pain or sorrow. They have been waiting too long. Waiting alone has become too difficult. You and I must stand beside them, lift up their head to the promised coming, whisper to their heart and hold the faith together. I am reminded of the song “Glorious Unfolding”…

My friend, if you are hurting tonight, I am waiting with you in this Advent journey of the “Glorious Unfolding”. We will all run through fields of forever together!